A Journey Through Time Beneath Greece’s Second Largest City
The construction of Thessaloniki’s metro system has unexpectedly transformed into the largest archaeological excavation in Northern Greece, covering an impressive 20,000 square meters. As workers dig deep to build the city’s modern transportation network, they’re simultaneously uncovering layers of ancient history that have lain hidden for millennia.
From Pre-Cassandrian Town to Roman Necropolis
4th Century BC: A Glimpse of Ancient Urban Planning
In 2012, excavations at the “Amaksostasio” site revealed a pre-Cassandrian town dating back to the 4th century BC. This 31-acre area showcased part of a city meticulously laid out according to the Hippodamian grid plan system, rivaling the great Macedonian cities of Olynthos and Pella. The discovery suggests a thriving community with a robust economy and established sociopolitical structures, tragically cut short by the founding of Thessaloniki in 315 BC.
Roman Era: Life and Death in Ancient Thessaloniki
The Roman period left its mark through an extensive cemetery uncovered at Fleming Station. Dating from the 2nd to 4th century AD, this necropolis has yielded over 3,000 funerary monuments, offering unprecedented insights into burial practices and social structures. From simple pit graves to elaborate vaulted tombs, the variety of burial types and associated artifacts – including clay figurines, gold and silver jewelry, and coins – paint a vivid picture of life and death in ancient Thessaloniki.
Artistic Marvels and Sacred Spaces
The Beauty of Aphrodite and Byzantine Mosaics
At the Hagia Sophia station, named after one of the city’s oldest churches, archaeologists unearthed a statue of Aphrodite in 2018. Nearby, well-preserved 4th-century mosaics with intricate geometric patterns hint at the existence of grand public buildings or luxurious urban villas.
Early Christian Heritage
The discovery of a three-kilometer cemetery basilica with mosaic floors, built atop an earlier structure, provides valuable insights into the early Christian period of Thessaloniki’s history.
Preserving the Past for the Futur 
With over 300,000 artifacts recovered from just half of the 12 station sites under construction, Thessaloniki’s metro project has become a treasure trove of archaeological wonders. Many of these finds, some dating back to the 4th century BC, will soon be on display for the public to admire.
A New Home for Ancient Treasures
Plans are underway to exhibit these remarkable discoveries at six metro stations and two new museums, ensuring that the rich history unearthed during this project will be preserved and shared with generations to come.
As Thessaloniki races towards a future of modern urban transit, it simultaneously deepens its connection to its ancient past. The metro construction project serves as a poignant reminder that in Greece, every shovel of earth has the potential to uncover millennia of human history.
